Bee Balm

About this plant

Monarda didyma 'Gardenview Scarlet', commonly known as Bee Balm, is a show-stopping perennial cherished for its brilliant, shaggy scarlet-red flowers that create a spectacular display from mid-summer through early fall. Its unique, tubular blooms are a magnet for local pollinators, making it an excellent choice for a vibrant and wildlife-friendly garden. Beyond its stunning aesthetics, 'Gardenview Scarlet' is a remarkably resilient and easy-to-grow plant. Its upright, clumping habit makes it suitable for borders, mixed perennial beds, or even meadow plantings, adding a burst of color and texture wherever it's placed. This cultivar is also known for its excellent mildew resistance, ensuring a healthier and more attractive plant throughout the growing season. Enjoy its beauty and the lively activity it brings to your outdoor space year after year.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering and prevent self-seeding. Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. Good air circulation helps prevent powdery mildew.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.